1. What is BMI Percentile?

BMI percentile is the relative position of a child's BMI among children of the same age and gender. It's used to assess weight status in children and teens (ages 2-20) according to CDC growth charts.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the standard BMI formula:

Where:

• \( weight \) — Body weight in kilograms
• \( height \) — Height in meters

Explanation: The calculated BMI is then compared to CDC growth charts to determine the percentile based on the child's age and gender.

3. Importance of BMI Calculation

Details: BMI percentile is the most common indicator of weight status in children. It helps identify underweight, healthy weight, overweight and obesity.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter weight in kg, height in meters, age in years (2-20), and select gender. For accurate results, measurements should be precise.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Why use BMI percentile for children?
A: BMI changes with age in children, so percentile accounts for normal growth patterns.

Q2: What do the percentiles mean?
A: Underweight (<5th), Healthy weight (5th-85th), Overweight (85th-95th), Obese (≥95th).

Q3: How accurate is BMI percentile?
A: It's a screening tool but doesn't directly measure body fat. Some muscular children may have high BMI without excess fat.

Q4: When should I be concerned?
A: Consult a healthcare provider if BMI is <5th or ≥85th percentile, or if there are sudden changes.

Q5: Can I use this for adults?
A: No, this calculator uses pediatric growth charts. Adults use fixed BMI categories (underweight <18.5, normal 18.5-24.9, etc.).